about

In today's unsafe and increasingly wired world cryptology plays a vital role in protecting communication channels, databases, and software from unwanted intruders. This revised and extended third edition of the classic reference work on cryptology now contains many new technical and biographical details. The first part treats secret codes and their uses - cryptography. The second part deals with the process of covertly decrypting a secret code - cryptanalysis, where particular advice on assessing methods is given. The book presupposes only elementary mathematical knowledge. Spiced with a wealth of exciting, amusing, and sometimes personal stories from the history of cryptology, it will also interest general readers.

"The best single book on cryptology today." -- Cryptologia (from a review of a previous edition)From the reviews of the fourth edition:"This comprehensive updated edition is divided into two sections. The first part of the book deals with The People and the second concentrates on The Machinery. . This volume includes 191 Figures, 29 Tables and 16 Color Plates, plus an Appendix. . Friedrich L. Bauer Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Computer Science . has written an outstanding book on cryptology that belongs in your personal library or as a gift for a friend. . There are other fascinating sidelights to this excellent book." (The Cryptogram, Page 15, 2007)"By far the best single work on the subject." -- David Kahn"It contains a wealth of material on the history of classical cryptology, focusing especially on the first half of the 20th century. . The book is so thorough that it could serve as a textbook for those who want to develop their skills in this area. . this book is an excellent source for the history of codemaking and codebreaking in the early and mid-20th century." (Neal Koblitz, SIAM Review, Vol. 52 (4), 2010)